4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, [ Representing those who are least receptive to the gospel. This group corresponds to those who filled the great and spacious building in Lehi’s dream.4 Lehi described them as being “in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at and were partaking of the fruit” (1 Nephi 8:27). Others who blindly sought to join them were drowned or lost in strange paths (see 1 Nephi 8:31–34).What would the way side be? In ancient times path ways were provided for travelers these paths sometimes would wander through a field to which the farmer would plough to the edges of the path, and would leave the path for future travelers. What process is being used here? Broadcast How do we know that? Because some seeds fall by the way side. Is the sower careless in his technique? No with this kind of sowing it is a natural by product. so what is this parable about? A sower? The Seeds? No it is about the 4 kinds of soil. Elder James E. Talmage and others have referred to this parable as the parable "Of the 4 Kinds of soil" since the sower and the seed are the main issue but "the ground upon which the seed is cast". see Jesus the Christ pg 264-265. ] and the fowls came and devoured them up: [ What keeps the seeds that fall on the wayside from sprouting? (Write on the chalkboard Seeds on wayside—eaten by birds.). ]

[ What is the relationship of the soil in the parable? "It is the spititual condition of the person to whom the seed is given. It is based on the heart of the person in whom the seed rests. If you are texting or playing video games during the sacrament you are putting yourself in stoney ground " Elder Oaks Gen Con April 2015. ]

22 He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; [ So first we have to hear the word, but the next part defines the difference that can take place after hearing the word. ] and the care of this world, [ Who are these? Those that care more about what the neighbors might think. Born in the church, these members are more concerned with the “cares of the world” (the fads, fashion, music and technology) than with developing a relationship with Christ. It has been said that the definition of God is: The motivating force of one’s life. These members focus their energies on the gods of this world: the gods of wood and stone (grand homes), the gods of metal and money (cars and mammon), and the gods of pride and selfishness. ] and the deceitfulness of riches, [ Who are these? Those that make a choice for the things of this world over choosing the gospel as important. ] choke the word, [ so what is implied in the choked word? That the full opportunities and blessings, maybe all of the opportunities and blessing are not available because they have put other things first above the gospel. ] and he becometh unfruitful. [ What do the thorny places represent? (See Mark 4:19; Luke 8:14.) Write on the chalkboard Thorny places = people who hear the word of God but are distracted by the cares of the world What does it mean for a person to be unfruitful? What “thorns” cause people to be unfruitful? (See Matthew 13:22; Mark 4:19; Luke 8:14.) How are these thorns evident in the world today? What can we do to prevent these thorns from choking the word of God in us?

Where do the footnotes for verse 21 and 22 take us? To D&C 39 and 40 which tells us of the story of James Covill; who was excited about the gospel when "the seed sprung up". But after a short time the weeds crept into his heart; and the prophet Joseph received a second revelation about James - one that showed that persecution and the pressure of Satan had caused James to break his covenants. D&C 40:2-3 Also, Jesus corrected Peter for not savoring “the things that be of God, but those that be of men,” declaring, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Matthew 16:23, 26) ]

23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it;[IV: "and endureth" - So this person is different from the person in v21 who endures until the adversary arrives] which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. [ What does the good ground represent? Write on the chalkboard Good ground = people who hear the word of God, understand it, and do works of righteousness What makes the soil good in this case? It harbors the seed and yields forth fruit - lot's of it!].

[What kind is your soil? How is this parable different if you look at it from the perspective of the seed? How is it different if you relate the soil to yourself? ]

30 Let both grow together until the harvest:[ the Day of the Lord is commonly referred to as the harvest cp Isa33-34, Joel 3:13, Rev. 14:14-20, Rev 19:13, D&C 133:49-51 ] and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

[ Notice that the Savior continues on with two more short parables - but the parable of the Wheat and the tares must have stuck in the minds of the disciples as they follow up with questions as soon as they got a chance see verse 36. ]

52 Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe [ A scribes responsibility was to write down or copy word for word what was said. It was not their duty or responsibility to change, altar or modify in any way what was written. However; it was the scribes who were the ones who modified the text of the old testament books to remove or alter what the Messiah would do and be. They changed him to become a political figure such that the people would not recognize the Savior when he did come. They removed the ordinances and covenants to their ways, ways in which they could control the people through "the Law". for this reason Jesus holds some of his strongest rebukes for the scribes because these were the very ones who were manipulating the text to have it read the way that they wanted - they were perverting that ways of God. ] which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old. [IV:Then said he unto them, Every scribe well instructed in the things of the kingdom of heaven, is like unto a housholder; a man, therefore which bringeth forth out of his treasure that which is new and old.

One question that was often floated during the time of Jesus was John Lightfoot "What wine, what corn or fruits were to be used in the Holy things - or the rite offerings?" in some rites, new or old; namely of the present year, or the years past. But now a thrifty man, provident of his own affairs, was stored both with the one and the other, prepared for either, which should be required.. So it becomes a scribe of the gospel to have all things in readiness, to bring forth according to the condition and nature of the thing, of the place, and of the hearers.

Comparing this verse to the sacrifical offerings discussed by Lightfoot - we can see that different offering were more acceptable under differen t condition. The diligent househoder had both old and new and was perpared for either, and therfore brought out the appropriate one depending on the circumstances. Thus those scrbes that accept the gospel will bring their knowledge of the Law and the Prophets in a like manner. ]